Two staff members at the Stratford Library were recently honoured with an award from the Ontario Library Association (OLA) for their work.
Library technicians Sherri Bennewies and Lorraine Gordon, were honoured with the Technical Services Award at the OLA Awards Gala at the end of January.
“The process started when one of our co-workers Melanie nominated us,” said Gordon. “She gave a nice nomination, and without it nothing would have happened.”
The duo were awarded for their work in updating outdated Indigenous and LGBTQ+ subject headings in the library catalogue. This will help lead to easier searches for library patrons, and further promote inclusivity.
“I started with the Indigenous subject back in 2019, and I worked on finding language that was inclusive and respectful,” said Bennewies. “As settlers, we sometimes gave the Indigenous people names that were not what they should have been called, so it was all about making the catalogue respectful to whoever was using it.”
Gordon meanwhile updated the LGBTQ+ subjects to make them more inclusive.
“I did some research and I found what’s called the homosaurus (which is an internationally linked data vocabulary of LGBTQ+ terms) and it gave me a great vocabulary,” said Gordon. “Then I went through the catalogue and found all the books on whatever subject it was and tried to make the language more inclusive.”
Library CEO Krista Robinson said that the library is fully committed to updating the catalogues.
"The library is committed to updating our catalogue to ensure it reflects respectful, culturally appropriate terminology," explained Robinson. "Both initiatives represent our commitment to eliminating harmful stereotypes and fostering positive change within our library system. It's one of several steps we're taking to enhance representation and create a more inclusive library environment for all patrons. We are very proud of the work Sherri and Lorraine have done – the award is very well deserved."
Gordon adds the updates are extremely helpful and important.
“It’s important because the catalogue reflects everything that we hold in the library and we people are able to find it,” Gordon said. “If they are no longer using some of those terms we need to update them so people can find the materials they need.”
Bennewies adds it’s also a call to action item in the Truth and Reconciliation report.
“One of the calls to action is for libraries and other institutions to update and use the proper language,” Bennewies added.
The work the pair did will be felt all around Perth County as the updates will be integrated into the Perth County Information Network catalogue which service the libraries in Stratford, St. Marys, North Perth, West Perth and Perth East.